Do you have enough savings to cope with a drop in income?
Umbrella company contractors may be about to witness the biggest drop in household incomes for 30 years, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
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The latest news affecting umbrella companies in the UK. Featuring HMRC, the Agency Workers Directive, the 2003 Agency Regulations, and IR35.
How secure is your umbrella company contract?
Recent research conducted by HSBC has discovered that 29% of people in the UK think their job is not secure over the next year and 37% believe the same will be true over the next three years.
Are IT contractors being fair to their clients?
Are IT outsourcers really being fair to their clients? According to a recent survey, 77% of IT professionals working in companies that outsource work say their outsourcers make up work to get more money.
Public sector pay comes under the spotlight
Umbrella company contractors may be interested to learn that public sector pay has risen at a faster rate than it has in the private sector.
SMEs lack confidence in trading with EU countries
Although the majority of SMEs in the UK have faith in exports leading the economic recovery, nearly 25% say they are going to decrease their international trading activity.
Umbrella company contractors working in renewables get good news
Good news for umbrella company contractors working in the renewable sector comes from Vestas, the wind turbine manufacturer, which intends to build giant turbines in Kent.
HMRC exceeds last year’s tax credit fraud prevention target
George Osborne has told his fellow MPs that HMRC stopped £1 billion of incorrect or fraudulent tax credit payments in the last financial year.
REC calls for clarification of AWR in education sector
The REC has called on the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to provide increased clarity over the way the AWR will operate in the education sector.
Bankruptcies are falling but will the trend continue?
The latest statistics from the government show that UK bankruptcies have fallen significantly over the last 12 months.
Do you get your business ideas from a crystal ball?
This week is International Ideas Week, a time when employers are encouraged to involve their staff and listen to their ideas.
Transitional jobs market good news for contractors
The current transitional jobs market could prove to be a godsend for umbrella company contractors.
Are UK banks bad news for umbrella company contractors?
Lord Oakeshott, the former Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman has accused the UK banks of hindering the economic recovery by refusing finance to small enterprises and charging extravagant rates when they do.
David Gauke states his commitment to overhauling IR35
HMRC should focus on detecting genuine cases of disguised employment rather than jumping to the conclusion that all freelancers are subject to IR35 rules, according to the REC.
Why don’t senior IT decision makers use social media?
54% of senior IT decision makers use IT staffing specialists when it comes to hiring new employees, according to IT recruiter Modis International.
Employers are still keen to make use of contractors
Umbrella company contractors will no doubt be relieved to learn that confidence is improving amongst small business owners.
The Agency Workers Regulations are causing concern for umbrella companies
Lawspeed, the recruitment law specialist firm, claims there could be a conflict of interest between HR and finance departments when the Agency Workers Regulations are enforced in October this year.